Highlights

After Hurricane Ida hit El Salvador last November 7, the National Government declared national disaster and the Ministry of Health noted among its priorities the development and implementation of a plan to protect mental health.

For the emergency, the Pan American Health Organization mobilized a team of 14 experts in crisis management, damage assessment, communication, and health and mental health services, among others. The PAHO/WHO mental health team was made up of Amalia Ayala and Ivonne Affolter (PAHO/El Salvador), and Víctor Aparicio, Subregional Advisor on Mental Health (PAHO/Panama).